Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!lll-winken!telecom-request From: ivgate!Jim.Redelfs@uunet.uu.net (Jim Redelfs) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Re: What The Heck is "Fiber Optic Quality" Anyway? Message-ID: Date: 18 Jun 91 21:01:41 GMT Sender: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu Reply-To: ivgate!macnet!jim.redelfs@uunet.uu.net Organization: Macnet Omaha Lines: 31 Approved: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 11, Issue 471, Message 2 of 11 Mark Miller wrote: > as I understand it, virtually all long distance calls are sent in a > digital format. I believe this is in error. Although AT&T is actively replacing the analog facilities within their VAST system, I'm sure they have a LONG way to go. It wouldn't surprise me to find that only HALF of their traffic makes the long haul digitally -- perhaps even less. > is this "fiber optic quality" spiel just some marketing drival You can bet that it is actively persued my the marketing honchos, but there is certainly a lot of truth to the implication that data transmitted via optical fiber is usually of a higher quality than that which is not. As far as I know, ALL transmissions over fiber ARE digital, whereas NOT all (at LEAST!) transmissions over OTHER type of plant is. Hear a pin drop? So what?!! A fat lot of good that kind of "quality" means when there's a Sports Illustrated "SneakerPhone" on one end and yet another CheapieChirper phone on the other!! JR --- Tabby 2.2 MacNetOmaha(402)289-2899 Multitasking w/MacOrphans (1:285/14)